Audi Q6 e-tron confirmed

German brand announces Tesla-rivalling family of electric cars.

Audi Q6 e-tron confirmed

11 March 2015Andrew Maclean

Audi has confirmed it will take on Tesla with a range of fully-electric vehicles.

The German brand revealed its plans during its annual press conference at its headquarters overnight, announcing it will develop a battery-powered SUV to be released in 2018 that is expected to be called the Q6 e-tron.

It has yet to reveal any firm details on the vehicle, other than admitting it will be based on the same modular, lightweight underpinnings as the all-new Q7 that is due to arrive in Australian showrooms later this year and will have a total driving range of more than 500km.

Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi's board member in charge of technical development, announced the plan during the press conference and added the car "will have a new, very attractive design which we are developing especially for the e-tron range and for battery-electric vehicles" - an indication that Audi will expand its fully-electric family beyond the R8 e-tron supercar revealed at the Geneva motor show last week and the Q6 e-tron.

The electric SUV is expected to be a variant within a new Q6 range that sits between the conventional Q5 and Q7 models but has a more sporting profile to rival the likes of the BMW X6 and upcomining Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

Audi has a confirmed a fully-electric SUV will be based on the new Q7 Photo: Supplied

Audi Australia spokesperson, Anna Burgdhorf, told Drive the prospect of a family of battery-powered vehicles is an exciting development for the German brand and that the local division will assess its viability for Australian sales over the next few years.

"Obviously we would need to determine whether or not there is a market for a car like that here," she said.

"Based on Australia's love for the SUV it is something we would look at with interest. As long as there's an appetite for a vehicle like that certainly we're keen to show Audi's technology and innovation here [in Australia] as much as Europe.

"There's so much potential for alternative drive trains that it's something we'll see more and more of in coming years. What will impress consumers is a car that's practical and versatile and highlights the car's technical abilities. If it's practical and looks great - which would be typical for Audi - it's likely to sell well in Australia."

Audi has a confirmed a fully-electric SUV will be based on the new Q7 Photo: Supplied